Aneurysm – Gary Ferone

An aneurysm is a very weak point in an artery and it most commonly occur in the arteries of the brain or in the body’s largest artery which is the aorta. An aortic aneurysm can be in the chest which is a thoracic aortic aneurysm or in the abdomen which is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Most people with an aneurysm do not even know they have one and if the aneurysm grows large enough, the artery wall may become so thin that blood begins to leak into the wall of the blood vessel which is also known as dissection or out into neighbouring tissues or parts of the body.

When the brain is deprived of blood and therefore oxygen, a stroke results and an accumulation of blood from a leaking brain aneurysm can press on areas of the brain causing brain damage. When an aortic aneurysm leaks or ruptures, severe bleeding which is also known as haemorrhage may occur and this is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Other groups who have a high risk of developing an aneurysm include people who smoke, have a family history of aneurysm, have high blood pressure and have atherosclerosis which is blocked and weakened blood vessels, have untreated syphilis, have infections, have injuries, etc.